Pregnant women often experience headaches, blurred vision, and rarely urinate? Careful,you know. It could be a sign that pregnant women are experiencing high blood pressure. High blood pressure during pregnancy do not considered trivial, because it can harm the health of pregnant women and fetuses.
Normally, an adult's blood pressure ranges from 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg. However, in pregnant women who have high blood pressure, blood pressure can be above 140/90 mmHg.
Causes of High Blood During Pregnancy
High blood pressure during pregnancy or gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy. Usually this condition will disappear or improve after the baby is born.
The cause of high blood pressure during pregnancy is not known for certain. However, there are several things that are known to increase the risk of pregnant women experiencing this condition, namely:
- Have had high blood pressure before becoming pregnant or have a history of gestational hypertension in a previous pregnancy.
- Have kidney disease or diabetes.
- Be less than 20 years old or more than 40 years old when pregnant.
- Experiencing twins.
- Overweight.
- Having a disorder in the immune system.
Is High Blood Dangerous for Pregnant Women?
High blood pressure can harm pregnant women and their unborn babies. In addition, pregnant women with hypertension are also more at risk for complications during childbirth, even afterward.
The following are the dangers that can occur due to high blood pressure during pregnancy:
1. Miscarriage
If pregnant women have a history of high blood pressure, then hypertension can develop to be more severe during pregnancy. If it cannot be controlled properly, it is not impossible that this condition can cause miscarriage.
2. Blood flow to the placenta is disrupted
A placenta that does not get enough blood can cause the fetus to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients. If not treated immediately, the fetus is at risk for growth disorders (IUGR), premature birth, and low birth weight.
3. Placental abruption
Placental abruption or placental abruption is a pregnancy complication in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery takes place. The risk of this condition is usually higher in pregnant women who have preeclampsia
Placental abruption can cause pregnant women to experience severe bleeding that can threaten not only their own life, but also the life of the fetus they are carrying.
4. Organ damage
Uncontrolled high blood pressure during pregnancy can cause pregnant women to experience damage to important organs, namely the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and liver.
High blood pressure during pregnancy is a medical condition that requires treatment as early as possible, so that the fetus and pregnant woman remain in a healthy condition. Therefore, pregnant women need to do routine pregnancy check-ups to the obstetrician so that the doctor can detect early if there is high blood pressure or other health problems.
In addition, pregnant women are also advised to eat nutritious foods, including prenatal vitamins that are given by the doctor, get enough rest, control stress, and don't be too tired.
